Spain joins group of nations threatening to boycott Eurovision if Israel competes

MADRID (AP) — Spain joined Tuesday the group of nations threatening to not take part within the Eurovision Song Contest except Israel is excluded from the competitors over the conflict within the Gaza Strip.

The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia had already taken the identical stance. Spain’s addition to the record places extra strain on each Israel and the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the favored contest.

Spanish public broadcaster RTVE made the choice at a board assembly in Madrid.

The announcement comes as diplomatic ties between Spain and Israel frayed after giant protests in opposition to the presence of a Israeli-owned biking group disrupted the Spanish Vuelta race. Spain’s prime minister mentioned Monday that he would really like Israel to be banned from sporting occasions.

READ MORE: Nemo of Switzerland wins Eurovision as protests over Gaza conflict overshadow 2024 contest

The European Broadcasting Union mentioned final week that it was consulting its members on the way to “manage participation and geopolitical tensions” across the music contest and would give them till mid-December to determine in the event that they need to take part.

Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, however Israel has continued to compete the previous two years regardless of disputes over its participation.

Eurovision’s finale is scheduled to be held in Vienna in May.